Sheriff’s Annual Fishing Tournament set for June 3

SANTEE – Dust off your fishing poles, it’s time for the 25th Annual Florence County Sheriff’s Office Fishing Tournament set for Saturday, June 3, at the John C. Land Landing at Santee.

Pre-registered participants can enjoy a cookout on Friday night at the landing. Anglers can register up to 7 p.m. on Friday night and beginning at 6 a.m. the following morning.

The tournament will begin at safe light and conclude with a weigh-in beginning at 3 p.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be announced at the closing ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m.

All participants are invited to a chicken bog, hot dog, and hamburger cookout which will be held at noontime at the landing. This will be the 25th year Jackie McGee has prepared the meals for the fishing tournament which is one of the main reasons people attend this tournament.

In May of 1993, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office sponsored its first fishing tournament at the Galivants Ferry Landing at the Pee Dee Little River. This was a day long event which ended at approximately 5 p.m. with a weigh-in. The 57 registered participants enjoyed a cookout and award presentation ceremony. Due to the growth of this event, it was moved to Santee Cooper in 1999 and each year has over 250 participants.

Money raised from registration helps fund Camp Pee Dee Pride, along with hunts for the youth and disabled veterans.

It takes approximately 35 volunteers each year to make this two day event the great success it continues to be, noted Capt. Wayne Howard of the Sheriff’s Office.

“We are pleased to announce that Westrock is now a major sponsor of this event and we are happy to welcome them aboard,” Howard noted.

The Sheriff’s Office is still seeking volunteers and sponsors who can help with this event. Anyone interested in taking youth fishing or helping with other activities can contact Capt. Wayne Howard of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 665-2121, ext. 339.

Fishing applications can be obtained online by going to the Sheriff’s Office website at www.fcsospecialprojects.org and click on “events”. Also, any monetary donations should be made payable to “Camp Pee Dee Pride” and mailed to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, ATTN: Fishing Tournament, 6719 Friendfield Road, Effingham, SC 29541.